Nonprofit Christian school making progress in 2nd year

Banks Academy, a nonprofit Christian private school in South East Lake serving ninth- and 10th-graders, was founded in 2015 to give inner-city kids a good education rooted in faith and values.

So far, school officials said they believe their experiment is working. 

“It’s wonderful to watch young men and women learn more about the Christian walk and see them learning new things academically every day,” said Principal Kathy King, a 1976 graduate of the old Banks High School for which the academy is named.

“We’ve had a wonderful time getting the new students enrolled … and meeting their parents,” said Darryl White, one of the school’s four founders.

Now in the school’s second year, officials shared their report card and named some goals for the future.

King noted that enrollment went from 10 to 20 since 2015 and the academy expanded its curriculum, added teachers and added the 10th grade. 

Banks began with ninth grade only but plans to eventually go through 12th grade.

The academy seeks to have 100 students, and is upgrading its facilities and adding sports.

Raising money is an ongoing challenge because most of the students receive some type of scholarship, but Banks has received individual, church and corporate donations, White said.

For information, including volunteer opportunities, call 368-3090 or go to banksacademy.org.